Service provider identifier

ABSTRACT

A disclosed method for providing service provider information to a user communication device includes determining a telecommunications service provider associated with a targeted node such as a called party telephone number. An indicator of the telecommunications service provider is provided to and displayed by the user communication device. Communication services available to the communication device are then determined based at least in part on the identity of the telecommunications service provider. Indications of the available communication services may be presented to the communication device by audible or visual signals.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to the field of real timeinformation provisioning to customers.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Telephone communication systems and networks provide voice telephony,messaging and data communications services worldwide. Communicationnetworks that handle person to person audio traffic carry more than justvoice information that may be useful to communication systems users on areal time basis. Currently information such as the cost of the call orother variable costs associated with inter-network calling are notreadily accessible to communication systems users. There is a need formethods and apparatus that can provide more information to communicationsystems users on a real-time or near real-time basis. Additionally, whatis needed is methodologies and apparatus that provide information usefulto call management in near real-time so that users may make resourcedecisions during or prior to communication connection.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides methods, systems and apparatus forproviding service provider information for a user communication device.A targeted communication link associated with a target service provideris determined using a user communication device associated with a userservice provider. The determination of the indicator for the targetservice provider may be with a user service provider Central Office (CO)or server. An indicator of the target service provider is received anddisplayed on the user communication device. Communication servicesavailable to the communication device are determined and presented tothe communication device by audible or visual signals. Representationsof services available or restricted to the user communication device areprovided to the user device. Restricted services may be enabled byoverride options.

Examples of the more important features of the invention have beensummarized (albeit rather broadly) in order that the detaileddescription thereof that follows may be better understood and in orderthat the contributions they represent to the art may be appreciated.There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will bedescribed hereinafter and which will form the subject of the claimsappended hereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Features of the present invention will become apparent from thefollowing detailed description considered in connection with theaccompanying drawings disclosing embodiments of the present invention.It should be understood, however, that the drawings are designed for thepurpose of illustration only and not as a definition of the limits ofthe invention. For a detailed understanding of the present invention,references should be made to the following detailed description of anexemplary embodiment, taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which like elements have been given like numerals in thedrawings, wherein similar reference characters denote similar elementsthroughout the several views:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a display provided by the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a flow chart for an embodiment provided by thepresent invention;

FIG. 3 illustrate a flow chart for an embodiment provided by the presentinvention; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a flow chart of a system provided by the presentinvention.

While the invention will be described in connection with its preferredembodiments, it will be understood that the invention is not limitedthereto. It is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, andequivalents that may be included within the spirit and scope of theinvention, as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In view of the above, the present invention through one or more of itsvarious aspects and/or embodiments is presented to provide one or moreadvantages, such as those noted below. The present invention providesfor provisioning real-time information and services to communicationsystem users.

The present invention provides methods, systems and apparatus forproviding service provider information for a user communication device.For example, a visual or audible indicator may appear on a caller'scellular telephone, the indicator representing the service provider ofthe person or device being called. More generally, a targetedcommunication link associated with a target service provider isdetermined using a user communication device associated with a userservice provider. The determination of the indicator for the targetservice provider may be with a user service provider Central Office orserver. An indicator of the target service provider is received anddisplayed on the user communication device. Communication servicesavailable to the communication device are determined and presented tothe communication device by audible or visual signals. Representationsof services available or restricted to the user communication device areprovided to the user device. Restricted services may be enabled byoverride options.

The present invention provides systems, apparatus, or methods forproviding communications services to end user communication devicesusing one or a plurality of service providers. Any such service providermay be a Wide Area Network (WAN) or cellular communication system.Cellular services include analog cellular service, digital cellularservice, communication service providers using Code Division MultiplexAccess (CDMA) technologies, two-way paging, etc. These systems are oftencombined with the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) or othercommunication systems including data networks. These systems incombination, all examples of Wide Area Networks (WANs), providecommunications services over wide geographic areas.

The procedures for determining what services may be required, available,selected, and used by a user of a communication device are oftendependent on information that must be obtained from the service providerfor a party being called.

One aspect of the invention disclosed is a method for determiningcommunication services for a communications device where such servicesare selected from a plurality of services depending on the identity oran indicator associated with a communications service provider. Thismethod may be practiced at an initiating communications unit or device,though the method may also be utilized or provided by or in conjunctionwith a communications service provider. Communication devices includebut are not limited to telephones, mobile or cellular telephones,Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), computers or any other device thatmay be used to enable targeted or received communications and that maybe used to provide, establish or complete a communication link. For thepurposes of this invention a targeted communication link means anydevice or communication node as commonly accepted in the art to which adata or voice communication link or connection may be established.

After initiating communication to a targeted communication link (forexample, a called party or a communication device being engaged) using acommunication device, a user communication device receives a serviceprovider indicator associated with the targeted link at thecommunications device or through an associated communications server.This step of receiving may include receiving an indicator of thetargeted communication link's service provider (e.g., callee's, orcalled party's, service provider) and associated information (UniformResource Locator, Phone number, Internet Protocol (IP) or other address,IP port number, or other information needed to contact or identify thetargeted communication link). The targeted service provider indicator isused to determine services available or restricted to the communicationdevice from the user's service provider, as well as cost structures forthe available services.

The method and apparatus of the present invention provides for anindicator useful with a communication device, for example a wirelessphone or PDA. The indicator may be an audible or visual prompt or iconthat provides information by virtue of its presence, the time of itsappearance, or by virtue of characteristics of the indicator. Theindicator may be an audio or visual ‘pop-up.’ The indicator is usefulfor indicating whether the user's service provider for the user'scommunication service is the same service provider used by the callee.The invention provides for indicating incoming/outgoing same serviceproviders, and may indicate whether the call is free, or what costs maybe associated with the communication.

The indicator is present for the outgoing call, and the indicator may beinitiated in the communication device as the call is initiated, orbefore the connection is completed, or after the call in connected. Anindicator may be provided to identify the service provider of thetargeted communication link, for example, a called party.

The method and apparatus of the present invention provides for anaudio/visual interruption or “barge-in” to a targeted communication linkthat will inform a called party or called communication device, link ornode that a caller has the same service provider as the called party.The options and features provided by the present may be turned on or offusing a user interface on a user communication device, or optionally,the options and features may be turned on or off, or otherwiseprovisioned, by a service provider.

An advantage to knowing whether a party called has the same serviceprovider is that service plans may allow for cost free or reduced ratecalling between callers subscribing or belonging to the same serviceprovider. For example, some service providers have rate plans thatprovide that charges for calling/communication minutes do not accrue foran account for talking to a party with same service provider fornetworked calls (i.e., in-network calls). Because in-network calling isfree under some service provider service plans, users want to know callsthat are in the network to enable users to manage their communicationresources efficiently. Further, the invention provides for countingminutes, both ‘free’ and those minutes that are not free.

The method and apparatus of the present invention provides modesindicating in-network or out of network communication, or in-service orout of service communication. The present invention also provides othermodes that indicate which services are available. For example, theavailable no-charge minutes available to the communication device may betracked on the device or on a service provider Central Office, server ordatabase. A warning indicator may be provided when no-charge minutes arein the 10-25% remaining range. This information and these services maybe indicated by audible or visual prompts provided to the usercommunication device. The indicators may preferably occur prior toconnecting to the targeted communication link so that a user may haveinformation to decide whether, when to initiate or how long to maintaina communication. The indicators are optionally available and may beturned off and on.

Restrictions to services available to a communication device may bebased on the service provider indicated for the targeted communicationlink. Restrictions to services available may also be based also onwhether or not minutes in a plan are available, and so calls arerestricted to in-network calls when no more charge-free time isavailable under a rate plan. A restriction to usage of the communicationdevice may be parentally controlled so that children of a primaryaccount holder only talk to in-network (“free”) customers. Internetaccess may be blocked, and certain numbers or groups of numbers may berestricted. Restrictions may be based on time and place.

While the visual signals like icons, or audible signals, may indicatethe identity of the service provider for the targeted communicationlink, indications may also simply notify whether the provider isin-service (i.e., in-network) or out-of-service. The representations ofthe service provider indicator may be based on user criteria andbusiness needs. Outgoing calls may be limited to in-network, incomingcommunications may be limited to in-network sources and theserestrictions may be optionally overridden by an override feature. Anoverride feature may be turned on or off from a user communicationdevice user interface like an operating system. Communicationrestrictions outside of the same network may be overridden based afeature/option such as an alphanumeric code to be input (like 3 digits).The override options and their timing may be monitored and/or stored bythe communication device or on an associated server. Based on apreplanned service budget and optionally a billing cycle or the numberof minutes used during a billing cycle, the communication device signalsthe user with these conditions and/or stores the information forretrieval. Examples of communication statistics associated with serviceproviders service plans include shared minutes, family minutes, innetwork minutes and free minutes. The present invention provides forblocking or denying a connection to calls from out-of-service providersources that would engender toll charges.

Restrictions to services, which may be termed ‘restricted services’provided to the communication device may be based on the indicator ofthe service provider of the targeted communication link associated withinformation stored on the communication device or on a server associatedwith the communication device or a server associated with the user'sservice provider. Examples of restricted services include therestrictions to usage or service as explained above, allowing onlycommunications between communication devices with a common serviceprovider, blocking calls initiated from an out-of-service provider,denying a connection for a communication from an out-of-serviceprovider, blocking calls from out-of-service providers based on whetheror how many minutes are available under a user's service plan. Todetermine availability of minutes left on a service plan's budget, dataused to determine whether or not the user minutes may or may not be onthe server, but can be downloaded to the communication deviceautomatically or by user request.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a screen or display 101 presentationwhich includes iconic service indicators 105. A screen presentation canalso include alphanumerically represented information 107, for exampledate, time and available options/services. An icon 103 indicating theservice provider for the targeted communication link, or an indicator ofthe service provider for an incoming communication. Alternatively, icon103 may be substituted with a name or alphanumeric symbol representingthe service provider for the targeted link or the incomingcommunication. The icon or alphanumeric symbol may be color coded torepresent service provider status as well as services that may beavailable to the communication device based the service providerindicator. For example, whether the other service provider is in-networkor out-of-network can be color coded. For example the icon can becolored red if the caller/callee is not within the network, and greenfor a caller/callee within the network. A combination of color codedicons or alphanumeric symbols, which may be red or green, or even a reddot, may indicate what service provider the other calling party is with,or merely whether the other service provider is in-network. These visualor audible indicators may be used with any communication devices whetherwired or wireless, mobile or cellular telephones, PDAs, computers, etc.Examples of information provided to the communication device based onthe other service provider indicator include portage charges andtransfer fees for VoIP. When one network user incurs a charge from thenetwork servicing the targeted communication link, a symbol or audiblerepresentation may be represented on the user's communication device.There might be a charge involved that would be indicated by the presentinvention, and before a connection that would incur charges is made orcaller identification information forwarded to the callee, the user canmake a decision not to initiate or maintain any communication.

FIG. 2 illustrates a flowchart relating to communication and icondisplay methods provided by the present invention. A communicationdevice is employed to initiate contact with a targeted communicationlink 201, for example when a caller dials a number from the caller'stelephone and initiates a communication to another telephone device. Thecommunication request is received the user's service provider 203. Adetermination is made whether the targeted communication link isin-network or not 205, for example by answering a question equivalent to“Is the dialed number in the (caller's) service provider network?” Ifthe targeted communication is not in-network, the icon 103 or audiblesignal represents the targeted communication link is out-of-network, andmay even indicated the identity of the out-of-network service provider.A special audio tone or visual signal may be initiated on the user'scommunication device prior to a communication connection being made sothat the communication may be aborted if the user desires. The audiotone or visual signal may represent that the targeted communication linkservice provider is out-of-network.

As further illustrated in FIG. 2, when the call is in-network 205 (i.e.,Yes) there are non-exclusive options provided by the present invention.Any or all of these options may be enabled contemporaneously. The servernotifies the user's communication device (like the caller's cell phone)that the targeted communication link is in-network. The user'scommunication device may then display an in-network icon or initiate anin-network audible signal 207. Alternatively, or contemporaneously, theserver sends a special in-network barge-in signal to user'scommunication device 209. This may indicate that the targetedcommunication is engaged in such a manner as to preclude connection.Another option is that the server notifies the user's communicationdevice (i.e., the calling party's cell phone) to display the in-networkicon 211 or initiate an audible tone. Also, a server may send a specialin-network signal to the user's communication device to enable anin-network associated ring-tone 213. After these options, the connectionfrom the user's communication device to the targeted link may becompleted 215, for example by sending a ring signal to the dialednumber's cell phone.

FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart relating to several methods or aspects ofthe present invention. A user communication device is employed totransfer information from a user communication device to a targetedcommunication link 301. As described previously, a communication devicefor a sending or receiving party includes a telephone, mobile orcellular telephone, PDA, computer or any other device that may be usedto enable targeted or received communications. A communication requestis received by the user's service provider 303, for example in a CentralOffice associated server, wherein the server comprises at least oneprocessor and may be connected to a database. A determination is madewhether the targeted communication link is in-network or not 305, thatis, whether the user service provider is the target service provider. Ifthe targeted communication is not in-network, the icon 103 or audiblesignal represents the targeted communication link is out-of-network tothe user's communication device 306, and may even indicate the identityof the out-of-network service provider. A special audio tone may beinitiated prior to a communication connection being made so that thecommunication may be aborted if the user desires. The audio tone mayrepresent that the targeted communication link service provider isout-of-network.

Thus, the calling party using a communication device can see or hearwhether they are calling to a party or device in-network or not. Theperson or party receiving the call with the present invention can tellbased on looking at their communication device when the call comes in,if the call is in the network, or a special ring or iconicrepresentation may be indicative of an in-network call. A special tonethat occurs before the communication device notifies the user of theincoming communication (e.g., a telephone actually starts ringing or adata or voice connection actually occurs) indicates whether or not thecall is in network. This feature may be used along with ‘barge-in’ sothat if a communication device is otherwise exclusively engaged, anincoming communication may be indicated and whether the incomingcommunication service provider is in-network or not. Central Office callsignals (barge-ins) may be audibly played by the CO, for example to acommunication device earpiece. The in- or out-of-network audibleindicators may be played by the user communication device as a ring-tonewhen no communication is occurring, or optionally during communicationas well.

When a call is determined not to be in-network, the service provider'sCentral Office or server can ping back to the caller with the in-servicenetwork indicator of the targeted communication link prior to actualconnection. This way a user's identity information (“caller ID”) doesnot have to be transmitted to a communication link, which may be aconcern to a user. Optionally, the invention provides for determiningwhether to continue the communication or not, for example by having thecommunication device voice activated or to option to hit a button toenable the connection to continue. The communication device may indicatethe targeted communication link is not in-network, the user may use anaudible or physical/electronic signal (e.g., the ‘#’ key or similar) tocontinue. Optionally also, the only time ping back occurs is when thetargeted communication link is not in-network.

As further illustrated in FIG. 3, when the call is in-network 305 (i.e.,Yes) there are non-exclusive variations provided by the presentinvention which may occur separately and/or contemporaneously. In oneaspect of the present invention the server notifies the user'scommunication device that the targeted communication device isin-network 307. The user's communication device may then display anin-network icon or initiate an in-network audible signal. Also, theserver may send a special in-network barge-in signal to the targetedcommunication link 309. In still another embodiment, the server notifiesthe targeted communication link to display the in-network icon 311 orinitiates an audible tone to the calling party communication device.Another option is for a server to send a special in-network signal tothe targeted communication link to enable an iconic symbol and/orin-network associated ring-tone 313. After these options, the connectionfrom the user's communication device to the targeted link may becompleted 315.

Services that may be determined based on the service provider indicatorinclude identifying a calling party, restricting information transferunless the target service provider is the user service provider;identifying available no charge minutes; and restricting calls toin-network based on available minutes.

FIG. 4 illustrates a flow chart relative to a device or applianceconfigurations for a system according to the present invention. Acommunication device 20, which may be a user communication device havinga screen or display 101, communicates with a service provider's server120, which may comprise at least one processor 100 and a database 130,and which service provider's server 120 may be located in the serviceprovider's Central Office. The server may also communicate with a targetcommunication link 30.

Accordingly, while embodiments of the present invention have been shownand described, it is to be understood that many changes andmodifications may be made thereunto without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

The present invention described herein is well adapted to carry out theobjects and attain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as othersinherent therein. While various embodiments of the invention have beengiven for purposes of disclosure, numerous changes exist in the detailsof procedures for accomplishing the desired results. Variousmodifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It isintended that all variations within the scope and spirit of the appendedclaims be embraced by the foregoing disclosure.

Although the invention has been described with reference to severalexemplary embodiments, it is understood that the words that have beenused are words of description and illustration, rather than words oflimitation. Changes may be made within the purview of the appendedclaims, as presently stated and as amended, without departing from thescope and spirit of the invention in its aspects. Although the inventionhas been described with reference to particular means, materials andembodiments, the invention is not intended to be limited to theparticulars disclosed; rather, the invention extends to all functionallyequivalent structures, methods, and uses such as are within the scope ofthe appended claims.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, themethods described herein are intended for operation as software programsrunning on a computer processor. Dedicated hardware implementationsincluding, but not limited to, application specific integrated circuits,programmable logic arrays and other hardware devices can likewise beconstructed to implement the methods described herein. Furthermore,alternative software implementations including, but not limited to,distributed processing or component/object distributed processing,parallel processing, or virtual machine processing can also beconstructed to implement the methods described herein.

It should also be noted that the software implementations of the presentinvention as described herein are optionally stored on a tangiblestorage medium, such as: a magnetic medium such as a disk or tape; amagneto-optical or optical medium such as a disk; or a solid statemedium such as a memory card or other package that houses one or moreread-only (non-volatile) memories, random access memories, or otherre-writable (volatile) memories. A digital file attachment to e-mail orother self-contained information archive or set of archives isconsidered a distribution medium equivalent to a tangible storagemedium. Accordingly, the invention is considered to include a tangiblestorage medium or distribution medium, as listed herein and includingart-recognized equivalents and successor media, in which the softwareimplementations herein are stored.

Although the present specification describes components and functionsimplemented in the embodiments with reference to particular standardsand protocols, the invention is not limited to such standards andprotocols. Each of the standards for Internet and other packet switchednetwork transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, and HTTP) representexamples of the state of the art. Such standards are periodicallysuperseded by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentiallythe same functions. Accordingly, replacement standards and protocolshaving the same functions are considered equivalents.

1. A method of providing information to a communication devicecomprising: (a) determining a telecommunications service providercorresponding to a called party telephone number; (b) determining anindicator of the telecommunications service provider; (c) providing theindicator to the user communication device; and (d) determiningaccording to the indicator, communication services available to the usercommunication device.
 2. The method of claim 1 further comprisingproviding to the user communication device an indication of thecommunication services available.
 3. A method of providing informationto a communication device comprising: (a) determining atelecommunications service provider corresponding to a called partytelephone number; (b) determining an indicator of the telecommunicationsservice provider; and (c) providing the indicator to the usercommunication device; wherein providing the indicator further comprisesproviding at least one signal selected from the group consisting of: i)a visual signal, and ii) an audible signal.
 4. A method of providinginformation to a communication device comprising: (a) determining atelecommunications service provider corresponding to a called partytelephone number; (b) determining an indicator of the telecommunicationsservice provider; (c) providing the indicator to the user communicationdevice; and (d) using a user service provider's processor fordetermining the indicator of the telecommunications service provider. 5.A method of providing information to a communication device comprising:(a) determining a telecommunications service provider corresponding to acalled party telephone number; (b) determining an indicator of thetelecommunications service provider; (c) providing the indicator to theuser communication device; and (d) determining services available to theuser communication device using at least one device selected from thegroup consisting of: i) a user service provider's processor and ii) theuser communication device.
 6. The method of claim 5 wherein the servicesavailable to the user communication device comprise restricted services.7. The method of claim 6 wherein the restricted services are enabled bya user override feature.
 8. A method of providing information to acommunication device comprising: (a) determining a telecommunicationsservice provider corresponding to a called party telephone number; (b)determining an indicator of the telecommunications service provider; and(c) providing the indicator to the user communication device; whereinthe determining of the indicator of the telecommunications serviceprovider and the providing of the indicator to the communication deviceis performed by a user service provider Central Office.
 9. A method ofproviding information to a communication device comprising: (a)determining a telecommunications service provider corresponding to acalled party telephone number; (b) determining an indicator of thetelecommunications service provider; (c) providing the indicator to theuser communication device; and (d) at least one of the group consistingof i) comparing the telecommunications service provider with atelecommunications service provider corresponding to a telephone numberof the user communication device, ii) restricting information transferunless the called party telecommunications service provider and atelecommunications service provider corresponding to a telephone numberof the user communication device are the same; iii) identifyingavailable no-charge minutes; and iv) restricting calls to in-networkbased on available minutes.
 10. A system for providing information to acommunication device, the system including a processor operable to: (a)determine a telecommunications service provider corresponding to acalled party telephone number; (b) determine an indicator of thetelecommunications service provider; and (c) present the indicator ofthe target service provider on the communication device.
 11. The systemof claim 10 wherein the processor is further operable to determine,according to the indicator of the telecommunications service provider,communication services available to the communication device.
 12. Thesystem of claim 11 wherein the processor is further operable to provideto the communications device an indication of the communication servicesavailable.
 13. The system of claim 11 wherein the services available tothe communication device comprise restricted services.
 14. The system ofclaim 13 wherein the restricted services are enabled by an overridefeature.
 15. The system of claim 11 wherein presenting the indicator ofthe telecommunications service provider comprises initiating an audiblesignal.
 16. The system of claim 11 wherein presenting the indicator ofthe telecommunications service provider comprises initiating a visualsignal.
 17. The system of claim 10 wherein the system comprises aportion of a Central Office associated with a telecommunications serviceprovider corresponding to the communication device.
 18. A wirelesscommunication device operable to: initiate a call to a called partytelephone number; receive an indication of a telecommunications serviceprovider corresponding to the called party telephone number; present theindication to a user of the wireless communication device; and performan action based at least in part on whether the called partytelecommunications service provider and a telecommunications serviceprovider corresponding to the wireless communication device are thesame.
 19. The wireless communication device of claim 18, wherein theaction includes at least one action selected from the group consistingof: indicating available in network minutes when the telecommunicationsservice providers are the same and restricting communication to thecalled party when the telecommunications service providers differ.